Broadcast response system

ABSTRACT

A broadcast response system provides, e.g., a radio broadcast listener with the ability to obtain media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using, e.g., the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by broadcast response server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.09/953,335, filed Sep. 13, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,041, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/232,333, filedSep. 13, 2000, the content of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to processing responses to a broadcast.

2. Description of the Related Art

From the early days of FM broadcast transmission, stations have includedancillary signals such as background music or reading services for theblind along with a main carrier signal. The idea of transmitting dataalong with the main carrier signal caught on, and now many broadcastradio services either transmit an ancillary data signal or aredeveloping a method to do so. The most current and widely used datatransmission standard is the United States Radio Broadcast Data Systems(“RBDS”) standard.

The RBDS standard, published by the National Radio Systems Committee andsponsored by the Electronics Industry Association and the NationalAssociation of Broadcasters, describes a system for broadcasting avariety of program-related information on a subcarrier of a standard FMbroadcast channel. The RBDS standard teaches a system for transmittingstation identification and location information, as well as time,traffic and miscellaneous other information.

The RBDS standard was designed to allow stations to send informationsuch as call letters, station format, traffic alerts and scrolling textmessages to compatible radios.

Many stations installed RBDS encoders through a program encouraged bythe FCC in the early 1990's that provided encoders at no charge. Radiostations that did not participate in this “RBDS Roll-Out” can stillobtain encoders at competitive prices.

RBDS encoders generate what is known as a “subcarrier” that modulatesalong with an FM station broadcast signal and can be demodulated byspecial decoders. The RBDS uses a subcarrier frequency of 57 khz.Commercially available RBDS encoders usually accept information viaeither serial or parallel data ports and format the information into theappropriate RBDS block type.

The RBDS data signal is a specially encoded text stream containing up to32 repeating data “groups” transmitting at 1187.5 bits/second. The RBDSdata signal does not require inclusion of all potential data groupblocks of both repeating and unique data. One embodiment includes usingone of several groups that are designed for data transmission functions.

An RBDS data group is composed of 4 blocks, each divided by checkwordsused for error correction. Block 1 is a 4-digit Program Identificationcode (PI) which is derived from the transmitting station's call letters.Block 2 includes a 4-bit type code and a 1-bit group version code whichidentifies the type of information the data group contains. This blockalso contains a 1-bit code that identifies the transmitting station asone that broadcasts traffic information, followed by a 5-bit ProgramType (PTY) code which describes the current program or format beingbroadcast by the station (Rock, Oldies, Talk, News, etc.). Informationcontained in Blocks 3 and 4 are dependent on the codes included in Block2. Blocks 3 and 4 provide two 16-bit data slots where specificinformation can be sent to the special receiver.

For example, RBDS Group types 2A, use blocks 3 and 4 to transmit a64-character text message known as RadioText (RT). This appears onRBDS-enabled radios as a scrolling message which some stations use toidentify the song or program being broadcasted. Other group types usethese blocks to identify alternate frequencies where the sameprogramming can be available, in-house station text messages, orEmergency Alert System (EAS) communication messages. An extensivedescription of the RBDS standard is available through the NationalAssociation of Broadcasters and the National Radio Systems Committee.

A similar standard used in Europe is the European Radio Data System(RDS).

Broadcasters using the RBDS standard can distribute information to alarge number of users. However, the standard does not allow individualusers to respond to the broadcast information.

Currently, users listening to the radio or watching television mayparticularly like a song or program that they would like to purchase.While stations using RBDS/RDS may provide a user with the station callletters or the name of the song currently being broadcast, the user hasno way to purchase the media at that point. Instead, the user must writedown or remember the identifying information and then go to a store oronline retailer to purchase the media. Not only is this inconvenient,but the user may forget the name of the song or not be able to find astore that sells the song. Additionally, the information provided by theradio station may not be enough to sufficiently identify the song. Forexample, the user may have the song title, but not the artist name,album name, or other necessary identifying information. Some material,such as editorial news broadcasts or live events, may not be availablefor purchase or may be difficult to find. Radio stations often have fundraising drives or listener surveys that require a listener to call thestation or respond within a limited time. These same problems also applyto television and other forms of broadcast media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these and other problems by providing asystem that allows an individual user to respond to a data broadcast. Inone embodiment, an Automatic Purchase System (APS) provides a radiobroadcast listener with the ability to conveniently purchase mediacontent such as music or speech while listening to the radio.Additionally, the user can respond to items in the radio broadcast suchas advertisements, fund raising drives such as those conducted by publicradio, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast.

In one embodiment, the user establishes a “Creative content” purchasingaccount with a wireless carrier. In one embodiment, a personal URL (webaddress) is assigned to the user to allow the user, for example, tomonitor account activity, enable or disable APS software downloads,display premiums offered by sponsors, and manage and track content orAPS purchases using a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) or a personalcomputer.

In one embodiment, the user makes routing choices between the TER or theweb account for content. In one embodiment, the user selects thecompression type, such as MP3, RA, Liquid Audio etc.

In one embodiment, each broadcaster has an RBDS/RDS or similartechnology enabled server onsite to, for example, generate RBDS/RDS orequivalent code for inclusion in the broadcast, validate and routepurchase information to the user's wireless carrier for billing, monitoronline sales transactions for data mining, or route validated purchasesto licensed creative content providers.

In one embodiment, radio hardware can include, for example, RBDS/RDS orequivalent decoder capability (e.g., in an internal chip with APS code);flash card slot and recording ability; or storage of multiple items suchas artist name, song title, IP address of creative content provider, andtime stamp for delayed purchase (e.g., in an internal chip with APScode).

In one embodiment, the system uses the RBDS/RDS to send a data stream incombination with a broadcast signal for identifying music or speechcontent available for purchase. A broadcast organization participatingin the APS system is able to respond to requests for purchases placed byusers who either click a button or issue a voice command to the radio atthe time of the content was broadcast, at a later time by scrollingthrough the playlist stored in the APS module in the radio thenselecting one or more items for purchase from the list stored in theradio, or by accessing a private web account via the Internet anddownloading content to the personal computer. In one embodiment,purchases are made by saving requests for selected items for purchase ona flash card or storage technology and transferring that data to apersonal computer for purchase through the Internet at a later time.

Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IPaddress for the location where the digital version of the content isstored, can be transmitted using the RBDS/RDS data stream. A referencenumber representing song title and artist, author or publisher and theIP address for the location where the digital version of the content isstored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This referencenumber can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by the APS serversoftware on a Data Server located at the broadcast site, a remote siteor both for purposes of redundancy. Transmission of purchase requestsfrom a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) is provided via wirelesstransmission, or by accessing the Internet using a personal computer orthrough a cellular or wireless phone. In one embodiment, activity ofeach sale using the above system is tracked for the purposes ofaggregating data or “Data Mining” for sale to interested parties such astrade publications and record companies.

Portable radios can come equipped with a voice interface or a purchasebutton, a flash card or storage device and a port for connecting theradio to the personal computer such as a 9 pin serial, USB or wirelessnetworking technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic purchasing system with a radio stationthat broadcasts information to individual radio receivers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a radio receiver that includes an automaticpurchasing system module.

FIG. 3 illustrates a television adapter that includes an automaticpurchasing system module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention solves various problems in the prior art byproviding a system that allows an individual user to respond to a databroadcast. In one embodiment, an Automatic Purchase System (APS)provides a radio broadcast listener with the ability to convenientlypurchase media content such as music or speech while listening to theradio. Additionally, the user can respond to items in the radiobroadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives such as thoseconducted by public radio, or interactive listener polls during thebroadcast.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are variousforms of media that can be broadcast. Where a specific type of media isused in the following examples, it is for demonstration purposes onlyand the examples should not be limited in that regard. Some examples ofthe various types of media can include music, songs, speech, text,video, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system that allows a user torespond to a data broadcast. FIG. 1 shows a radio station 140 thatbroadcasts information to a radio receiver 100. The radio receiver 100has a control interface 116 that allows a user to initiate a purchase ofmusic or products based on the radio station broadcast.

The terms RBDS/RDS are used throughout this document, but it should beunderstood other data standards can also be used. In one embodiment, theradio receiver 100 comprises a Radio Frequency (RF) Demodulator Section102, a RBDS/RDS Decoder 106, a RBDS/RDS function control interpreter104, an audio demodulator amplifier section 108, a scrolling display110, an Internet Download Director 112, a local memory device 114 andthe control interface 116. Additionally, the receiver 100 provides foraudio output by transmitting an audio signal 128 from an audiodemodulator amplifier section 108 to the speaker 118.

In one embodiment, the RF Demodulator Section 102 splits the signal intoan audio signal and a data signal, with the data signal provided to theRBDS/RDS decoder 106 and the audio signal provided to the audiodemodulator amplifier section 108. The RBDS/RDS decoder 106 parses thedata signal from the RF Demodulator Section 102 and transmits the datato the RBDS/RDS Function Controller 104, the Scrolling Display 110, andthe Internet Download Director 112.

The RBDS/RDS Function Controller 104 handles codes 124 sent using theRBDS/RDS standard. The codes 124 can, for example, include a ProgramService name (PS), a Program Type (PTY), a Program Identification (PI),a Traffic Program (TP), a Traffic Announcement (TA), etc.

In one embodiment, the data is converted to an audio signal played onone or more speakers for the user to hear. A 64 character radio textmessage can be transmitted in five seconds under the RBDS standard,where a Type 2A group with 4 characters is transmitted 3.2 times asecond.

In one embodiment, a pointer to an Open Data Applications (ODA) group istransmitted in a Type 3A group. The pointer, 16 message bits and 16 bitidentifier (AID) are transmitted once a second.

In one embodiment, an ODA group with 37 usable bits is transmitted oncea second during the broadcast of a “tagged” program. The ODA group cancontain, for example, a song or commercial campaign identification.

In one embodiment, the scrolling display 110 receives display data 122from the RBDS/RDS Decoder 106. The display data 122 can includeinformation such as the program service name and program type, or it caninclude radio text information or messages displaying purchase options.

Additionally, the RBDS/RDS Decoder 106 provides data to the InternetDownload Director 112 that includes instructions for the location ofdownloadable audio. For example, a radio station 140 can broadcast dataregarding the current song that is playing, such as the song name,artist, album name, and year the song was recorded. The radio station104 can also broadcast information providing a location where the song,editorial news broadcast, collection of songs, or other program materialcan be downloaded or purchased, and the purchase price for the song.

In one embodiment, a user can place an order to download a song usingthe control interface 116. The control interface 116 provides a downloadcommand signal 126 to the Internet Download Director 112. The InternetDownload Director 112 can then provide download instructions such as,for example, the location of the file for download and the securityprocedures required for access. The download information is thentransmitted over, for example, a wireless internet connection 156 to theauthentication and billing system 152. The authentication and billingsystem 152 verifies the customer information and determines whether thecustomer account can be debited for the cost of the order. Theauthentication and billing system 152 then provides an approval signal168 indicating whether the purchase was approved. The approval signal168 is transmitted to the purchase database server 150.

Once the purchase is approved, the purchase database server 150 providespurchase and download authorization to the download server 154. Thedownload server 154 can then transmit the requested material over anetwork connection 158. In one embodiment, the material is transmittedusing a wireless internet connection directly to the radio receiver 100.In another embodiment, the material is made available to a personalcomputer. In one embodiment, the material is sent using traditional mailor parcel services. The download server 154 also communicates with theaudio database and encoding server 144 to provide available sounddatabase information 164.

The radio station 140 includes a radio automation or CD playback system142, an audio database/encoding server 144, an FM transmission system146 and a RBDS/RDS encoder 148. The radio automation or CD playbacksystem 142 can extract information about songs or a radio program fromthe station playlist or by extracting information encoded on a CD or aCD-ROM. The playlist information is provided to the audio database andcoding server 144. The playlist information can include the song title,artist, cut or other information. The audio database/encoding server 144matches the information sent from the radio automation system 142 withinformation in the database. If there is an audio file available fordownload, the database/encoding server 144 formats the downloadinformation and sends it to the RBDS/RDS encoder 148. Correspondinginformation is uploaded to the purchase database server 150.

The RBDS/RDS encoder 148 transmits the RBDS/RDS information using the 57khz RBDS/RDS subcarrier 170 to the FM transmission system 146. TheRBDS/RDS subcarrier signal 170 is mixed by the FM transmission system146 with the FM baseband program signal 172 and any other subcarriers.The FM transmission system 146 then transmits an FM RF signal 162 whichis received by the radio receiver 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, a radio station 140, using either a standard radioautomation system for tracking of music content which is beingbroadcast, or a data-enabled audio player, broadcasts audio material andsynchronously sends RBDS/RDS or similar data to an APS server 144 thatassigns a unique identifier to each specific broadcast segment or song.

The APS server 144 compares the broadcast segment identifier with adatabase 150 of audio available for purchase. If the broadcasted audiois available, the APS server 144 incorporates station call letterinformation, and an audio download location such as IP address and afile name into a data stream that is inserted into a radio station'sbroadcast using RBDS/RDS or similar technology. The informationidentifying the audio selected by the listener or user is routed to theAPS Data Server and passed on to the location where a digital version ofthe audio content is stored and available for transfer to the end user.The user's radio receiver 100 receives and recognizes the encodedRBDS/RDS or other data and presents it on the radio display 110notifying the user that the audio is available for purchase.

If the user elects to purchase the audio content or responds to an ad or“pledge” drive, a request including the station's data and the user'scell phone or wireless Electronic Serial Number (ESN) or otheridentifier, such as a credit card number, combined with the audiocontent information is issued by the radio and passed via the cellularor wireless phone transmission to the APS Data Server and finally routedto the source server at the record company, publisher or licensedcontent provider. If a “good” connection is not available using thewireless connection, or the user does not have a wireless account, theinformation can be stored on the internal flash card or other storagedevice 114 in the radio for transfer to a personal computer at a time ofthe user's choosing.

Each server typically records the purchase or response information. Thestorage server 154 at a source location then uploads the requested audioto the routing address associated with the user's cell phone accountidentifier. The user's receiver 100 then saves the audio on internalmemory or a removable memory device or holds the audio content until theuser chooses to download it using the Internet.

One embodiment includes the use of several group types reserved for“open data applications” by the RBDS/RDS standard. These groups weredesigned for use with data applications and are readily available foruse.

FIG. 2 shows one example of a technology enabled radio 200. The radio200 includes a module 202 for the Automatic Purchase System. In oneembodiment, the APS provides relatively quick delivery of the purchasedmaterial. In one embodiment, quick delivery is provided by wirelesstransmission such that the user can receive the purchased material whiletraveling. In one embodiment, the system also provides delayed delivery,when, for example: the user so chooses; the user does not have awireless account; or the user cannot obtain a good signal with awireless connection for transmission.

In one embodiment, the radio 200 contains an APS module 202 configuredto store identifier data 204, to provide security functions, and toassist in routing selections made by the user (using either a voicecommand issued to voice recognition technology 214 contained in theradio or by the press of a button 212 on the radio interface). In oneembodiment, the APS module 202 is a proprietary microchip (or portion ofa microchip) that implements the radio receiver-side functions of theAPS. In one embodiment, the APS module 202 is a software module thatruns on a processor in the radio 200.

The audio content can also be “tagged” for delayed purchase at a latertime by scrolling through the playlist 208 stored in the APS module 202on the radio 200 and presented on the external display 210 of the radio200. The user can then select one or more items for purchase from thelist presented on the display 210 (stored in the APS module 202 in theradio). In one embodiment, the selected items are transmitted using awireless transmitter 218 such as a wireless telephone. In anotherembodiment, a user can store the playlist 208 on removable memory 220that is readable by a personal computer 240. The user can then access aprivate web account via the Internet for downloading the content to thepersonal computer 240. At this point, the user can transfer thedownloaded content to a storage device 242 such as, for example, a flashcard or CD-ROM.

Non-automotive or portable radios containing the APS module 202 can alsoinclude either a voice interface 214, an interactive button 212, orboth, to enable listener-selection of broadcast material (or forresponding to advertisements, find raising drives, or any otherinteractive event). A port 216 such as a 9-pin serial port, a USB port,or any other port designed to provide connectivity between the radio 200and a personal computer 240 can also be integrated into the radio 200for the purposes of transferring the selection list from the APS module202 to software in a personal computer 240 or other device. APS softwarerunning on the personal computer 240 is configured to recognize anembedded security code enabling purchase of the selected material viathe Internet, or respond to an advertisement or fund raising drive.Wireless technology, such as, for example, BlueTooth and the like, canalso be used for the purposes of transferring the selection data betweendevices.

Automotive radios equipped with the APS module 202 and associatedtechnologies can use a wireless interface 218 to send a purchase request(or interactive response) complete with a user Electronic Serial Number(ESN), WIN identifiers, and routing information such as artist and songtitle derived from the RBDS/RDS data string accompanying the associatedbroadcast. The purchase request and routing information can then bedirected to an APS server 260 for processing, billing approval, anddelivery of the content to a particular location (such as the user'sflash card or storage technology in the radio 200 or a personal accountweb URL), as requested by the user.

The flash card or storage technology 220 in the automotive radio offersthe user a second option. The user can select content for purchase usingthe interactive voice technologies 214 or the button interface 212 toselect broadcast content for purchase. If that user does not have awireless phone, or does not have a good connection with a wireless phoneconnected to the radio, then the content selections can be stored on theflash card or storage technology 220 for later use.

In one embodiment, the APS polls the wireless network until a goodconnection is obtained, at which point the selection data is transferredfor completion of the transaction. In cases where the user cannot obtaina good connection or the user does not have a wireless account, theflash card or storage technology 220 can later be removed by the userand inserted into a personal computer 240. The routing information foreach selection stored on the flash card or storage technology 220 ispassed to the APS download software running on the user's personalcomputer 240. Once the user has an active connection to the Internet,the APS download software allows the user to purchase the selectedcontent and download it to a personal computer 240 as long as thecontent was tagged with the proper security codes obtained from the APSmodule 202 in the radio 200.

Using this system, the user can respond to a live broadcast radioadvertisement to qualify for coupons, premiums or other sponsor-offeredrewards. This system can also be applied to pledge drives employed bypublic radio stations, allowing listeners to pledge money while drivingor listening to a portable radio. The system can also be used forlistener polls where the broadcaster can obtain quick responses fromlisteners to new music, speech content or general questions such as atalk show format. In each case, the user/listener can respond bypressing a “Respond” button 212 on the radio 200. On a voice-enabledradio 200, the user/listener can order content or provide responses byvoice commands.

The user can also receive offers or hyperlinks posted on a personal website presenting premiums such as discounted tickets (to events for theartists or writers for which they purchased content), suggestions ofpurchase for related artists or music genres, record company clubofferings, or other premiums. Associated books, magazine articles,merchandise and event information can also be posted for the user topurchase using the APS. Hyperlinks can also be present for content notavailable on the radio but provided either through partnerships withexisting digital content providers or content owners who have madedirect arrangements for digital distribution through the APS web site.

Billing for the purchase of content and user-identification can bemanaged through the user's wireless phone account or the user canestablish an account at an APS web site. Content purchased can bedirected to Technology-Enabled Radios (TERs), or receivers using awireless-telephone transmission, and stored on a flash card. Purchasecontent can also be directed to a personal web page assigned to the userupon creation of a specific account. The user can access the accountover the Internet, and the user can download purchased content to apersonal computer.

In order to protect the purchased content from piracy, variousaccess-rights controls and copy-protections can be provided. In oneembodiment, the user is allowed to copy purchased content to a CD orflash card one time only (unless additional licenses are purchased).Additional licenses can be purchased within the APS download software orin the user's web account by the click of a button or through using athird-party software package enabled with the APS security keys such asthe ESN and WIN numbers from a wireless account.

Each sales transaction can be monitored by an APS server located at eachparticipating radio station, by an Internet-based APS server, or both.The data collected through “data mining” of sales transactions can besold to companies interested in tracking demographic information andmusic sales such as record companies and trade publications. In oneembodiment, personal information regarding the users is not disclosed.

The system may include features such as allowing the user to establishesa “Creative content” purchasing account with a wireless carrier.

The system may also provide a personal URL (web address) to a user, withone or more web pages that allow a user to, e.g., monitor accountactivity; enable or disable APS software downloads; display premiumsoffered by sponsors; manage and track content or APS purchases using atechnology-enabled radio or a personal computer; make routing choicebetween a technology-enabled radio or the web account for content;and/or select compression type (e.g., MP3, RA, Liquid Audio etc.).

In one embodiment, a broadcaster has an RBDS/RDS or similar technologyenabled server onsite to, e.g., generate RBDS/RDS or equivalent code forinclusion in the broadcast; validate and route purchase information tothe user's wireless carrier for billing; monitor online salestransactions for data mining; and/or route validated purchase tolicensed creative content providers.

Radio hardware may also have various features such as RBDS/RDS orequivalent decoder capability (e.g., in an internal chip with APS code);flash card slot and recording ability; and/or storage capacity to storeitems such as artist name, song title, IP address of creative contentprovider, and/or time stamp for delayed purchase (e.g., in an internalchip with APS code).

In one embodiment, the system uses the RBDS/RDS to send a data stream incombination with a broadcast signal for identifying music or speechcontent available for purchase. A broadcast organization participatingin the APS system is able to respond to requests for purchase placed byusers who either click a button or issue a voice command to the radio atthe time of the content was broadcast, at a later time by scrollingthrough the playlist stored in the APS module in the radio thenselecting one or more items for purchase from the list stored in theradio, or by accessing a private web account via the Internet anddownloading content to the personal computer. In one embodiment,purchases are made by saving requests for selected items for purchase ona flash card or storage technology and transferring that data to apersonal computer for purchase through the Internet at a later time.

Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IPaddress for the location where the digital version of the content isstored, can be transmitted using the RBDS/RDS data stream. A referencenumber representing song title and artist, author or publisher and theIP address for the location where the digital version of the content isstored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This referencenumber can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by the APS serversoftware on a Data Server located at the broadcast site, a remote siteor both for purposes of redundancy. Transmission of purchase requestsfrom a Technology Enabled Radio (TER) is provided via wirelesstransmission, or by accessing the Internet using a personal computer orthrough a cellular or wireless phone. In one embodiment, activity ofeach sale using the above system is tracked for the purposes ofaggregating data or “Data Mining” for sale to interested parties such astrade publications and record companies.

Portable radios can come equipped with a voice interface or a purchasebutton, a flash card or storage device and a port for connecting theradio to the personal computer such as a 9 pin serial, USB or wirelessnetworking technology.

Music radio stations often depend on computer-programmed and optimizedplaylists to ensure consistency and success of the format. Many stationsuse computer-based playback systems that play from hard disc librariesor control CD changers. At the start of the day, a playlist is loadedinto these computers that include information. These “automation”systems provide continual logging of functions and activities and canoutput the “as played” information in a variety of ways, such as serialdata. Data can be taken as an event occurs or can be read from a textfile. Most automated systems can be programmed to send information outof the serial port.

Some stations have used this data to use RBDS/RDS and display songinformation in the RadioText group. More recently stations are usingthis information to feed a “now playing” message on Internet web sites.

Even stations that play CD's manually from a paper playlist can providethe information needed. Professional CD players usually have serialports (i.e. RS232, RS485) that can be programmed to transmit CD codeinformation. This code information is similar to the song codes used byinternet-enabled computers to automatically download song informationfrom the website known as CDDB.com for a CD inserted into a CD-ROMplayer. Every RIAA-registered CD has a unique registered code with theRIAA. Thus, on an RIAA registered CD, a song can be identified by theregistered code number in combination with the track number. For contentthat is not registered with the RIAA, a registration code is provided byAPS. In one embodiment, the broadcaster providing the APS service to itslisteners assigns an identifier code to the content. In one embodiment,an identifier code for non-RIAA registered content is provided by an APSregistering organization or service.

In one embodiment, the system operates by acquiring playlist data or areference number that identifies the broadcast content. The playlistdata is included in the RBDS/RDS data sub-carrier by either the APSserver software or a combination of the APS server software inconjunction with a compatible RDS/RBDS encoder.

Once the data source is identified, a connection pathway is establishedbetween the broadcaster and the APS Data Server. APS software residingon the APS Data Server stores that information in a “look up” table. Thecodes representing “cut numbers”, or text song information such asartist and song title, are referenced against the internal look up tableto determine if the song is available for download from the contentowner such as a music publisher or record company. Once determinationhas been made regarding availability of the requested content, the APSsoftware residing on the APS Data Server builds the data stream that caninclude the group 3 and group 4 data of the RBDS/RDS standard containingdownload location and/or file name. The APS software then transmits theinformation to a compatible RDS/RBDS encoder residing at theparticipating broadcaster.

For example: the 64-character text space contained in the RBDS standardis long enough to include an Internet IP address and directory locationor reference code contained in a look up table capable of enabling theAPS software to route the request for purchase from a user to theappropriate download site such as a publisher, record company or newsorganization.

The APS software residing on the APS Data Server can be employed tocreate the complete RBDS/RDS data signal and feed a slave encoderlocated at each broadcast location. The APS software also tracks eachinquiry and purchase for billing verification and crediting thebroadcaster for payment for their part in the sale. The APS softwarealso conducts data mining tracking for purposes of the future sale oftransaction data.

In one embodiment, the RBDS/RDS encoder formats and encodes the non-APSelements of the data stream (such as station identification (CallLetters), date and time, etc.) and the APS software on the APS DataServer inserts content-specific data such as song title and artistinformation or author and news service, into the continual RBDS/RDS datastream through the RBDS/RDS encoder's standard interfaces. The APS DataServer software can be well suited to provide content specificinformation but the other RBDS/RDS group applications can be bettermanaged by broadcast equipment designed for those applications.

RBDS/RDS is an FM-only transmission system but one of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that APS data can be included with other radioservices (e.g. AM, etc.).

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), which includes flexible, open-source,data transmission functions along with the audio signal. Systems foradapting digital audio and data transmission to the current allocationof AM and FM stations using a technique known as In Band On Channel(IBOC) are known. IBOC includes an ancillary data stream in thebroadcast signal to be used by the station for whatever purposes theysee fit. The ancillary data stream signal can be used to carry APSinformation.

Other developing radio systems also include a data path that can be usedto send the information used by the APS system to successfully allow theacquisition of music or other material being broadcast. Satellite DABproviders, such as XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio, have accessto the audio and ancillary data signals being sent to compatiblereceivers.

As other audio services develop, the capability to transmitcomplimentary, simultaneous data can be used as a component of the APS.The APS can be simply adapted to each new transmission form with nosignificant change in the overall system.

Wireless technology and the related developments in high-speed Internetaccess using systems such as BlueTooth or other wireless networktechnology allows faster downloads of the desired material by takingadvantage of the newer, faster technology.

NTSC, PAL and other technologies employed to transmit television signalsaround the world allow for similar capabilities in transmittingsubcarrier data within the carrier signal.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a Technology Enabled Television (TET)adapter 300. The television adapter 300 includes a module 302 for theAutomatic Purchase System. In one embodiment, the television adapter 300is incorporated into the television. In one embodiment, the televisionadapter 300 is a settop box. In one embodiment, the APS providesrelatively quick delivery of the purchased material. The materialavailable for purchase can cover a wide range of products, such asmusic, video, print, pledges of money, or consumer goods related todisplayed advertisements. In one embodiment, quick delivery is providedby using a cable modem. In one embodiment, the television adapter 300uses a modem and a telephone connection to download the data. In oneembodiment, the television adapter 300 uses a network connection todownload the data. In one embodiment, the system provides delayeddelivery, when, for example: the user so chooses; the user does not havea cable modem; the user does not have a network account at thatlocation; or the user cannot obtain a good signal with a wirelessconnection for transmission.

In one embodiment, a television adapter 300 contains an APS module 302configured to store identifier data 304, to provide security functions,and to assist in routing selections made by the user (using either avoice command issued to voice recognition technology 314 contained inthe television adapter or by the press of a button 312 on the televisionadapter interface). In one embodiment, the APS module 302 is aproprietary microchip (or portion of a microchip) that implements thetelevision adapter-side functions of the APS. In one embodiment, the APSmodule 302 is a software module that runs on a processor in thetelevision adapter 300.

The material can also be “tagged” for delayed purchase at a later timeby scrolling through the selection list 308 stored in the APS module 302on the television adapter 300 and presented on the external televisiondisplay 380. The user can then select one or more items for purchasefrom the list presented on the display 380 (stored in the APS module 302in the television adapter). In one embodiment, the selected items aretransmitted using a cable modem. In one embodiment, the selected itemsare transmitted using a wireless transmitter 318 such as a wirelesstelephone. In another embodiment, a user can store the selection list308 on removable memory 320 that is readable by a personal computer 340.The user can then access a private web account via the Internet fordownloading the content to the personal computer 340. At this point, theuser can transfer the downloaded content to a storage device 342 suchas, for example, a flash card or CD-ROM.

A port 316 such as a 9-pin serial port, a USB port, or any other portdesigned to provide connectivity between the television adapter 300 anda personal computer 340 can also be integrated into the televisionadapter 300 for the purposes of transferring the selection list from theAPS module 302 to software in a personal computer 340 or other device.APS software running on the personal computer 340 is configured torecognize an embedded security code enabling purchase of the selectedmaterial via the Internet, or respond to an advertisement or fundraising drive. Wireless technology, such as, for example, BlueTooth andthe like, can also be used for the purposes of transferring theselection data between devices.

In one embodiment, television adapters equipped with the APS module 302and associated technologies can use a wireless interface 318 to send apurchase request (or interactive response) complete with a userElectronic Serial Number (ESN), WIN identifiers, and routing informationsuch as artist and song title derived from the RBDS/RDS data stringaccompanying the associated broadcast. In one embodiment, televisionadapters can use a modem (e.g. a telephone modem, cable modem, etc.) orother network connection to send a purchase request. The purchaserequest and routing information can then be directed to an APS server360 for processing, billing approval, and delivery of the content to aparticular location (such as the user's flash card or storage technologyin the television adapter 300 or a personal account web URL), asrequested by the user. In one embodiment, the purchased material isdelivered with traditional mail or parcel services.

The flash card or storage technology 320 in the television adapteroffers the user a second option. The user can select content forpurchase using the interactive voice technologies 314 or the buttoninterface 312 to select broadcast content for purchase. If that userdoes not have a network connection, then the content selections can bestored on the flash card or storage technology 320 for later use.

User access to the APS is provided by the remote control, voiceinteraction or buttons on the actual TV. As a user views broadcastcontent, the user can respond to the television broadcast to makepurchases, respond to an advertisement, to qualify for premiums, or theuser can respond to pledge drives on public television or an interactiveevent such as a talk or game show.

In one embodiment, the user responses are provided to a computing devicesuch as a personal computer, set-top box, and the like (e.g., via flashcard or other removable storage medium, via a network connection betweenthe computer and the TET, via a wireless connection such as BlueTooth,etc.). The computing device is then used to transfer the content in amanner similar to that described in the radio embodiment above.

In one embodiment, a cable connection from the TET to the computingdevice is used for immediate transfer of the user response. In oneembodiment, data is transferred between the TET and the computing deviceusing a communication port such as, for example, a serial port, a USBport, infrared port, a parallel port, and Ethernet port, or other porttechnology.

In one embodiment, the APS module also provides web-enabled cable orsatellite television interactive services. In one embodiment, a modem(such as, for example, a cable modem) is included in the TET therebyallowing the TET to send a user response request directly to a contentprovider (such as a cable company). In one embodiment, the APS module isprovided in a cable set-top box to allow the APS system to be used witha conventional television.

The mechanisms for routing, customer identification, security, tracking,and purchase used with the radio embodiments described above can also beused with the TET.

It is understood that the download server, purchase database server,audio database server and encoding server can reside on one or morecomputers, and that the shown organization of the servers is forclarification. One or more programs can be used to perform part or allof the functions described in this description.

The foregoing description of a preferred implementation has beenpresented by way of example only, and should not be read in a limitingsense. Although this invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art, including embodiments which do not provideall of the benefits and features set forth herein, are also within thescope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionis defined only by reference to the appended claims.

1. An apparatus that processes a response to a data stream associatedwith a broadcast channel, comprising: a first communication connectionthat receives information about a broadcast, the information comprisingat least a segment identifier and a specific occurrence of a scheduledbroadcast of at least one audio segment from a broadcaster; a databasehaving an entry for a unique reference tag corresponding to at least thesegment identifier and the specific occurrence of the scheduledbroadcast; a data packet generation module that generates a data packetcorresponding to at least the unique reference tag, a broadcastidentifier and a database identifier, wherein the data packet isformatted for broadcast as a first signal stream together with an audiosegment as a second signal stream; and a second communication connectionthat receives a response data packet transmitted from a user device,wherein the response data packet comprises information corresponding toa user identifier and the unique reference tag.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first signal stream is modulated.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first signal stream is discrete from the secondsignal stream.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first signalstream is broadcast over a subcarrier channel.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the response data packet indicates that the user received theaudio segment but did not respond.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe unique reference tag corresponds to the broadcaster source.
 7. Anapparatus that processes a response to a data stream associated with abroadcast channel, comprising: a first communication connection thatreceives information about a broadcast, the information comprising atleast a specific occurrence of a scheduled broadcast of at least oneaudio segment from a broadcaster; a database having an entry for aunique reference tag corresponding to at least the specific occurrenceof the scheduled broadcast; a data packet generation module thatgenerates a data packet corresponding to at least the unique referencetag, a broadcaster identifier and a database identifier, wherein thedata packet is formatted for broadcast as a first signal stream; and asecond communication connection that receives a response data packettransmitted from a user device, wherein the response data packetcomprises information corresponding to a user identifier and the uniquereference tag.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the response datapacket indicates that the user received the audio segment but did notrespond.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unique reference tagis generated externally.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theunique reference tag is generated internally.